Earlier this month, KU Public Security Bureau tweeted in response to a “sexual assault day” post circulating on social media, saying he would increase patrols in response. Deputy public safety chief James Druen told the Kansan that a concerned community member called the office and reported the post, discovered on Yik Yak, which has since been deleted.
According to two screenshots independently shown to Kansan by students, an anonymous user on Yik Yak declared February 3 “Sexual Assault Day” and encouraged people to play a “game” that awarded points based on the number and place of sexual assaults. engaged.
Druen said officers neither observed nor received any reports of activity related to the post.
“We have never had this type of assignment at the University of Kansas, as far as we know,” Druen said in his email. “We found similar things that had been posted in other communities at various times in the past, but we have no evidence of a direct connection between them and the Yik Yak post.”
Hunter Schram, a freshman from Topeka, and Jamie Conejo, a freshman from Kansas City, Kansas, both learned of the post through a “University of Kansas Class of 2026” group Snapchat. Schram showed a screenshot he took when the post was spread across the group.
“It probably got downgraded really fast,” Schram said. “I think most people found out through KU Snapchat. Having the police contacted and responding to the post made me feel safer.”
Conejo learned of the post through Yik Yak screenshots of people reacting to the deleted message, advising his friends to stay home.
Public security officer Jack Campbell told Kansan that police have no other information to share about the poster’s identity.
“Posts like this have a very real impact on people,” Campbell said. “The KU Police Department and the University of Kansas take them very seriously.”
Student body president Sadie Williams had not heard of the Yik Yak incident until contacted by the Kansan.
“There is no excuse for harming or threatening to harm another student or person, whether it is through physical or emotional trauma,” Williams said. “Our campus has wonderful preventive resources and education through SAPEC, and any students who need someone to talk to confidentially should use Care Coordinator, Melissa Foree. She is also an expert in connecting people who have experienced sexual assault with any resource and support.”
If you are concerned about your or someone else’s immediate well-being, call 911.
You can call or text the toll-free 24/7 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
You can also schedule your first appointment and follow-up appointments at KU Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) by calling 785-864-2277. All Kansas students can access free 24/7 mental health support through the MySSP website and app, available on Android and iOS. You can also call MySSP at 1-866-408-2828.
Lawrence Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department provides 24/7 crisis mental health services. You can get hospice care and talk to a social worker to develop a safety plan.
Outpatient mental health care is available through the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center. Bert Nash accepts most insurances, including Tricare. Register for online services or call 785-843-9192 anytime, 24/7.
The 24/7 National Sexual Assault Hotline operated by the National Rape, Abuse and Incest Network is -800-656-4673 and additional resources are available online.
